DISCUSSION of the proposed carbon tax is inescapable, but a wealth of information does not mean that homeowners understand the potential impact it may have, technical development manager of eTool Richard Haynes says.
“This is where eTool can help,” he said. “www.etool.net.au is a free, online tool that calculates the energy and carbon needed for building and construction projects, and it is likely to be of particular interest to those looking at building a new home.
“Some housing and construction industry lobby groups claim the carbon tax will increase the cost of an average new home by more than $6000, but the cost is likely to be much less than that.”
Mr Haynes said building an average sized new home, the end cost of the proposed carbon tax might be as low as $100.
“This is due to many trade-exposed industries such as cement, steel, aluminium and glass-making qualifying for up to 94.5 per cent shielding from the tax,” he said.
“Those people building homes can request a number of cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of embodied carbon and energy contained within a new home.
Visit www.etool.net.au.